first time hatcher, looking for some experienced hatchers input...

[isabrowneyedsue]

i am very excited because this is my first clutch. things are going great so far, and byc has been the best resource ever.

i do have a couple of quick questions,

i have read three different book chapters on incubation and hatching, all of them specify that the humidity should be around 65 - 70 %
but none of them really give a temp. i have a second incubator because i have a staggered set, so do i set up the "hatcher" at the same
temp as the other?

i have also read that to get humidity up using a sponge or washcloth helps, but should i set the eggs away from it, will the eggs be damaged
from touching the wet surface?

and finally, i have one egg that was set the day after the rest, will it be okay to be in lock down a day early?

i have to say this is such an amazing thing to watch eggs develop! out of my original 24 i set 19 are looking awesome, the ones that i threw out
just never developed at all (infertile?) i set a few more about six days later, and they too are looking awesome.

i am trying not to get too excited and count my chickens before, well you know! because i suppose anything can happen between here and there

thank you in advance for your help

 

[abanjaf]

Temps for forced-air incubator (have a fan)=99.5. Still-air (no fan)=100.5 (although I have seen the range listed as high as 101.5). Is your hatcher the same kind as your first incubator? Don't let the eggs touch anything wet, the eggs are porous. Place sponges, washcloths below the mesh floor. Your late addition egg will be fine going into lockdown a day early Happy Hatching!

 

[Keri78]

I would check out the article on the BYC homepage ...https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-DryIncubation.html If this link doesn't work the just go to the BYC homepage and the click on hatching eggs under the "Learning Center" This is a GREAT article and VERY detailed! I keep my humidity between 40-50% and don't freak out if it goes down to 35% in the beginning. Of course at the end 50% is better. Too high of humidity is NOT good! You "added" egg should be fine...you never can tell which ones will hatch first anyway...and it's totally ok to leave them in the bator for 24 hours which should give you "extra" plenty of time. I keep my temp at 99...but betwee 99-100 I don't freak out. Happy Hatching!

 

[isabrowneyedsue]

both of my incubators are the same...and i am using the dry method, with great success i might add. i should have added that the humidity was high for the lock down, and i am really glad to know that the eggs can't touch anything, that's important to know. i guess since i have one more week i will do some trial runs. very cool, very exciting!! thanks guys!!